Western Central Pacific: northern Australia, from Shark Bay, Western Australia to Moreton Bay, Queensland. Also known from the southern coast of New Guinea. Sillago nierstraszi is almost certainly a synonym of this species.

Biology
Glossary
(e.g. epibenthic)

Juveniles of this species, together with those of S. schomburgkii remain in warm waters of the shallow mangrove creek shorelines and protected inlets. Mature S. analis prefer the muddy, tidal streams. The preferred prey are crustaceans. They also rummage in the silty-sand substrates for worms and have been observed to 'plough' up the bottom with the snout (Ref. 6205). Oviparous (Ref. 205).